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North County Report

Jul 10th 2012

Not every trip up north from Boca requires a Jet Blue ticket. Consider a short drive instead of a long plane flight, and check out what's happening in north Palm Beach County. Here are three activities in the area worth checking out over the next several weeks.

Dog Day Afternoon: Man’s best friend has a new purpose—to keep Clematis Street bustling. Thanks to Susanne Alexander, owner of of Bone-Appetreat, visitors and their pooches are doing just that. Clematis Street's monthly “Dog Day Afternoon” invites patrons to bring their canines for a casual meet and greet along the 500 block and its 17 businesses tucked away on the west side of the street.

The summer event is held on the first Sunday of every month from 4 to 8 p.m. (Aug. 5 is the next one) and gives attendees the chance to browse and shop nearly 20 local, pet-friendly vendors who set up individual tents along the street. Past vendors have included Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League and Bone-Appetreat, Alexander’s organic pet food company.

Rock-N-Roll Summer: Nothing brings people together like good music—and nowhere is that more evident than Friday nights at Downtown at the Gardens.

Each Friday through Aug. 31, from 7 to 10 p.m., different tribute bands take the stage in an open-air courtyard at the Palm Beach Gardens shopping and dining destination. Lovers of classic rock—from Bon Jovi to Journey—are invited to sing-along to their favorite songs and enjoy food and drink from nearby restaurants.

In addition to the Friday night music, Downtown at the Gardens is once again generating buzz with restaurants and cocktail spots such as Grimaldi's Brick-Oven Pizzeria, The Dirty Martini and 51 Supper Club and Lounge—as well as dozens of retails outlets, including Sur La Table, Urban Outfitters and IT'SUGAR, the candy empire that started in Boca. (11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., downtownatthegardens.com)

Music for the Mind: Kretzer Piano continues to illustrate how music can make a difference through its monthly “Music for the Mind” series. On the third Tuesday of each month, Kretzer hosts a concert at the Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace that often benefits music-related organizations in Palm Beach and Martin counties.

This month, on July 17, the series welcomes Palm Beach Opera for a performance—including works by Puccini, Mozart and other classical favorites—that benefits that organization’s education and outreach programs. Ticket prices range from $10 for adults to $5 for local students. Call 866/449-2489 for more information.

Over the past 11 years, Music for the Mind has worked with more than 8,200 musicians—and raised in excess of $240,000 for a variety of cultural charities and area nonprofits.